CHAPTER III
SURPRISES
As if in answer to his words, there was a knock at the door and as Tomopened it a colored boy handed him an envelope which he instantlyrecognized as a cable.
It was addressed to Mr. Pauling and as Tom's father tore it open andglanced at its contents a strange expression swept over his face andhe uttered a sharp ejaculation of surprise.
"Speak of angels, Henderson!" he remarked, as he passed the cable tohis associate. "What do you think of that?"
"Well, I'll be----" began Mr. Henderson as he hurriedly read thefamiliar cypher message, "Smernoff has escaped! Confound thosefellows! Can't they keep any one under lock and key? The second timetoo. Now there will be the devil to pay."
"Yes, it's regrettable," agreed Mr. Pauling, "but I wouldn't worryover him. The chances are they'll get him again and I can't see how itwill be possible for him to reach his friends down here or even tocommunicate with them--with his submarine gone and his confederatesarrested or dead. And we have all the information he could give us.No, I don't think his escape will trouble us much in this undertaking.I'd hate to be in your shoes and in the States with him though. He'ssworn to 'get' you, Henderson, and he's absolutely reckless andruthless, as you know."
"Gosh, he might come down here!" exclaimed Tom.
"Little chance of that," his father assured him. "Every ship will bewatched and don't forget he has neither diving suit, radio norundersea boat to help him. Besides he'll find it a hard job todiscover where we are. Don't be nervous over him, boys."
For several days nothing eventful occurred and the boys began to findtime hanging heavily on their hands. Mr. Pauling would not consent totheir taking a trip on a sponging vessel as they had hoped, for, as hepointed out, word from Rawlins might be received at any moment andthere could be no delay. But the arrival of the mails from New York,bringing the latest radio news and radio periodicals, proved a godsendto the boys who had discovered that a tiny island the size of NewProvidence was somewhat limited in the interests it possessed for twogo-ahead, strenuous lads, despite its picturesque town, its odd peopleand its beauties.
The two were soon deep in the latest developments of radio and wereeagerly discussing plans for the wonderful things they would do whenthe present trip was successfully ended and they were once more in NewYork. Tom was just reading an article on the almost miraculousproperties of specially prepared crystals of Rochelle salt when hisfather entered the room.
"Better pack your duds!" he exclaimed. "Here's good news for you."
"Oh, I bet Mr. Rawlins's arrived!" cried Tom, throwing aside hismagazine and jumping up.
"Right the first time!" his father replied, smiling. "That is, he hasnot arrived, but I have just received a radio message from Disbrowsaying 'William sends regards' which means that the submarine hassignaled and that all is well. He is probably close to the prearrangedmeeting place now and the launch is ready. Get your things togetherand we'll be off. Remember, if any one questions you we are off for afishing trip."
Half an hour later the four were aboard a fast cabin launch which hadbeen purchased and held in readiness for the news of Rawlins' arrival.
Leaving Nassau astern, the launch was headed towards the north, but nosooner were they out of sight of any prying eyes which might bewatching from the island, than they slipped behind some low cays andshifted their course to the east. At the wheel was a stalwartbrown-skinned young man and Tom in whispers asked his father if he wassure the negro could be trusted.
Mr. Pauling laughed. "You're getting as suspicious of every one as anold hand," he replied. "Don't fret over Sam, Tom. He's been with usfor years and very luckily too. He was born and bred in the Bahamasand these natives never forget a channel or a reef. He was with mewhen I was down here in the spring."
"But I never saw him before," said Tom, rather puzzled to know wherethis chocolate-colored addition to their forces had been hidden.
"Of course not," chuckled his father, "and you never saw several othermen in Nassau whom I might name. I might add another sentence to thatexcellent motto of yours and that is: 'and be seen by no one untiloccasion calls for it.' However, Sam saw you and was never very farfrom you. In fact I believe he once taught you that living corals arenot white."
"Jehoshaphat!" exclaimed Frank. "You don't mean to say he's theboatman!"
"Exactly!" replied Mr. Pauling. "Didn't you recognize him?"
"But, but, the boatman didn't look like him," declared Tom, staring atthe pilot, "he had a gray beard and gray hair and talked like one ofthe Conchs."
"A little gray wool and a gray wig will work wonders--especially on ablack man," replied Mr. Pauling. "And remember Sam is a Conch as youcall them and can naturally talk his native dialect."
"Well, I never believed all those detective stories about mendisguising themselves," said Frank, "but I will hereafter."
Mr. Henderson laughed heartily. "No real detective or Secret Serviceman uses disguises--that is false beards and wigs and makeup--nowadays," he declared. "To attempt a disguise would be to excitesuspicions at once--any crook with half an eye would penetrate suchmakeshifts in New York; but with a colored man down here it'sdifferent. The natives are not observant and there are few if anyskillful crooks, and who would imagine for a moment that a negro wasin the Service? No, boys, you must learn to believe only what youactually see."
"Even less than that," added Mr. Pauling. "I should say 'believe onlyhalf that you see and nothing you hear.'"
"Then I only believe half of Sam and nothing he told us," laughed Tom."Did he really work for Mr. Rawlins?"
"Yes and no," replied his father. "He met Rawlins when I did lastspring and did take a part in one film--Rawlins wanted a man to tacklea shark under water and Sam volunteered; but he was not regularlyemployed."
"Gosh, then Sam really has done that!" cried Frank. "Say, I hope wesee a shark so he can do it for us."
"Sam has other matters to attend to," Mr. Pauling reminded him, "butif he has time when we reach the place we're bound for he will nodoubt gladly accommodate you and any sharks that may be about."
Now that the boys knew the secret of the black man they decided tohave some sport themselves and after securing Mr. Pauling's and Mr.Henderson's promises that they would not tell Sam that the boys knewthat he was their former boatman, the two lads plied Sam withquestions, pretending to swallow everything he said withouthesitation. Then, very adroitly, they led the conversation into otherchannels and let out many hints that led Sam to believe they hadpenetrated his former disguise.
"What do you dye your hair with?" asked Frank innocently. "It used tobe gray."
Sam looked troubled. "Dye ma hair?" he replied, striving to maintain apuzzled expression and to speak in casual tones. "I guess you isjokin'. Ah don't dye ma hair, Boss. No, sir, ma wool's jus' as theLord made it."
"Well why did you shave off your whiskers?" asked Tom. "Thought youlooked too old to suit those darky girls in Nassau?"
Sam was now genuinely uneasy. "Ah doan' bother wif she," he declaredindignantly, and unconsciously lapsing into the Conch vernacular. "Ahalways shaves. Yaas, sir, Ah never grow no whiskers. Wha' fo' yo' arsksuch interrogation, Chief?"
"I guess a shark must have bitten it off," suggested Frank in anundertone nudging Tom slyly, "or perhaps it was in the way when hedove after corals to show to some other Northerners looking for whitecorals."
Sam turned and stared at the boys in amazement. "Lawd bless yo'!" heexclaimed. "Den fo' a fac' yo' knowed me an' was jus' pretendin' yo'didn't all tha' time!"
"Of course!" replied Tom trying to keep a sober face as he saw Sam'ssurprise and chagrin at having been discovered, "you must have thoughtwe _were_ green."
For a moment, poor Sam seemed utterly dispirited. He had taken theutmost pride in his clever disguise and now, after all, these two boyshad penetrated it. If that were so, then no doubt, others had done thesame and Mr. Pauling and Mr. Henderson would blame him.
But the next instant a
relieved look swept over his good-matured faceas he caught sight of the two gentlemen trying to stifle their laughs,and, realizing it had all been a plant, he burst into a hearty roar ofmerriment over the way he had been fooled.
"Ah guess yo' young gent'men did sure 'nough get ma goat!" heexclaimed, "an' Ah'm jus' boun' fo' to get yours an' knife a sh'ak."
Now that the boys had had their sport with Sam they found him a mostinteresting companion, and standing in the bows of the speedinglaunch, asked him innumerable questions about the various islets, thebirds, the fish and the reefs they passed. It was nearly sundown whenthey sighted the island where it had been agreed they would meetRawlins--a lovely palm-fringed islet with silvery-white beaches, and,much to the boys' surprise, they saw the roofs of buildings peepingfrom among the foliage.
"Why, people live there!" cried Tom. "Say, we can't meet Mr. Rawlinsthere."
"Those are Rawlins' buildings," replied his father smiling at Tom'sdistressed expression. "Didn't I tell you? This is where he takes hisundersea pictures--his studio and workshop, you know--but at thisseason it's deserted. We're perfectly safe there."
A few minutes later the launch slipped through a narrow channelbetween outjutting ledges of jagged, gray coral rock and entered abeautiful little harbor or cove. On one side was a low point, coveredwith coconut palms, and on the other a white sand-beach with a smalldock and with a large wooden building,--red roofed and with greenshutters--just beyond.
"Well we're here first," exclaimed Tom as the launch forged slowlytowards the dock. "There's no sign of the submarine."
"No, but some one's here!" cried Frank.
As he spoke a figure appeared upon the dock holding glasses to hiseyes and the next moment the boys recognized it.
"Gosh! It's Mr. Rawlins!" shouted Tom. "But where _is_ thesubmarine?"
A moment later the launch grated alongside the pier and Rawlins with agrin welcomed them.
"But--but, where's the submarine?" demanded Tom before Rawlins couldspeak.
"Safe and sound!" he replied. "Welcome to my kingdom!"
Then, when the first greeting was over, he exclaimed. "I'll say I'venews for you! Couldn't guess what 'tis. When we were tinkering aroundin that old sub, we found a secret compartment--sort of locker--andsome darned queer things in it--radio stuff of some sort, I expect. Ididn't show it to any one--not even to our 'Sparks' but I've got it upat the house. Come on and have a look at it. And I've another surprisefor you too--but that will keep--that's for you, Mr. Pauling. Comealong."
Hurrying up the path between the hedges of gay-flowered hibiscus theparty entered the building which served Rawlins as den, living placeand workshop combined.
The boys were amazed as they glanced about. They had not expected tofind anything on the island and here they were surrounded with everycomfort. Luxurious wicker-work furniture all about; enlargedphotographs-and paintings of scenes from Rawlins' sub sea films on thewalls; rugs of woven grass and matting on the polished floors; aphonograph in one corner and shelves of books.
On a stand at one side of the room was a model of a submarine completein all its details; there were models of sailing vessels on shelvesand freshly cut flowers filled vases and bowls.
"Say, you've a regular house here!" cried Tom, "It's fine!"
"Oh, it'll do for a hang-out," replied Rawlins as he began to undo apackage, "But you'll like the studio better. Look here, what do youmake of these?"
As he spoke he showed the boys the contents of the package. There wereone or two of the single control coils the boys had already seen, apair of peculiar phone receivers, several beautiful shining crystals,one of which was secured in a metallic stand or ring and an odd affairabout two feet in length and three inches in diameter looking like anovergrown walking stick wound with wire and with a sliding ring uponit.
For an instant, the two boys gazed at the collection with puzzled,uncomprehending faces and then, suddenly, a queer look of mingledsurprise, delight and understanding swept across Tom's features.
"Gosh!" he cried, picking up one of the crystals, "Gosh! I'll bet I doknow what these are. Say, they're those wonderful Rochelle saltcrystals I was reading about. Now we _will_ have something worthwhile! But I can't imagine what this thing is, it looks like a funnybig coil, but whoever saw a coil like it and with this sliding ring onit?"
It was now Frank's turn to exhibit his knowledge of the latestdiscoveries in radio. "Hurrah, I know!" he exclaimed. "It's aresonance coil! Don't you remember, I was just speaking about it whenyour father told us to get ready? Say, these things beat loop aerialsall to pieces. Why, that magazine said that with one of 'em you couldtell where a sending station was and even how far away! It's an aerialand tuning coil in one. Gee, Tom, we _are_ in luck! If we want tofind those chaps now we'll have a regular cinch!"
At the boys' excited exclamations Mr. Henderson, who had beenexamining a picture, turned to them.
"What's all the excitement, boys?" he asked. "Anything interestingthat Rawlins has found?"
"Well I should say _so_!" declared Tom. "Look, here's some ofthose Rochelle salt crystals and a resonance coil. Do you know aboutthem, Mr. Henderson?"
"Jove, you're right!" ejaculated the other. "Yes, I've seenexperiments made with the salt--and have seen them used in submarinework during the war too, and I've read Gen. Squiers' articles on theresonance coil and its properties. No wonder those fellows in the subgot by with such things to aid them."
"Well I suppose it's all mighty plain to you, but I'll be hanged if Ican see where Rochelle salts come in," declared Rawlins. "I thoughtthat was medicine."
"So it is, under certain conditions," agreed Mr. Henderson, "but ifthe salt is prepared or 'grown' so as to form a certain kind ofcrystal it possesses almost magical properties. By its aid one canhear a fly walk, insects talk or molecules of metal turning over in aniron bar."
"Nothing doing!" exclaimed Rawlins. "I can believe pretty big yarnsafter seeing what radio does, but I'm from Missouri when you talkabout a bit of salt making a fellow hear a fly's trotters or theinside of iron getting restless. You'll have to show me."
"That will be easy, I imagine," replied Mr. Henderson. "Tom says he'sbeen reading the accounts of it. I expect he can make you hear yourown thoughts almost. But with no exaggeration it is a most marvelousthing. During the war we used it as a detector to hear vessels at adistance--particularly subs, and it saved countless thousands oflives. One man in Washington is employed to devote all of his sparetime merely to growing these special crystals. If Tom can arrange theapparatus on the submarine we can locate the other sub if we get nearher. You've made a great find, Rawlins."
"What's that you said about another sub?" asked Rawlins. "Don't tellme they've got another one!"
"That's what we think," replied Mr. Pauling. "I forgot you didn'tknow." In a few words he related Commander West's story of the findingof the deserted schooner and the disappearance of the crew.
"I'll say they're some little deserters!" exclaimed Rawlins, "andyou're dead right about another sub, I'll bet. And say, that helps ussome too. They left that schooner and took to the U-boat--that is ifthey did have a sub at the Caicos. Well, that fits right in with mytheory about the latitude and longitude. If they left the schoonerthere and took the sub you can bet the Caicos are not far from theirhang-out. I'll bet they knew the destroyer wouldn't touch the smackand expected to lie low and take her again after the boys had clearedout. Why, they might have been lying submerged right alongside of heror with their periscope sticking up watching the destroyer from backof some reef or a bunch of mangroves. Yes, sir--if we hit the Caicoswe won't be far off."
"H-m-m, there's a lot of good reasoning there," agreed Mr. Pauling."And if we're to prove the theory the quicker we get started thebetter."
"Right you are," agreed Rawlins. "We're ready to sail any time. I justwant to get a few things together and I'll be with you. Want to have alook around the studio and shop, boys?"
The boys would gladly have remained for ho
urs or even days in thestudio but they realized there was no time to be lost. Here werediving suits of all kinds, sets representing the interior of ships andsubmarines, the yards and rigging of a bark complete, but with nohull, strange devices at whose use they could only guess and in onecorner the enormous intricate octopus of rubber, springs and wirewhich when occupied by a man, could be made to imitate so perfectlythe real creature that scientists who had seen the picture in which itfigured had insisted that it was a genuine octopus.
The workshop also was full of interesting things. Here was whereRawlins and his assistants made the diving suits, the under-seaapparatus for taking the films, the lifelike octopus, the miniatureships, the complicated and wonderful counterfeits of the interiors ofthe submarines and many other objects.
But long before they had half time to examine all these things Rawlinswas ready and leading the way along a narrow path through the brushheaded for the other end of the island.
"Aren't you afraid some one will disturb your property?" asked Mr.Henderson, "I shouldn't think it safe to leave all these thingsunguarded."
"I don't," replied Rawlins. "I have an old colored chap and his wifewho live here. That's why I kept the submarine out of sight."
"Where are they now?" asked Mr. Pauling. "Are you sure their curiositywon't be aroused and that they may not wonder at your suddenappearance and departure and our arrival?"
Rawlins laughed. "They might be curious or talk about a sub--if theysaw it, but as far as I'm concerned they are quite sure I'm an obeahman--sort of witch-doctor you know--and absolutely incomprehensible.If I dropped from the sky in a parachute and left in a pillar of flamethey'd think it quite in keeping with my habits and no more remarkablethan walking into the sea and out again at will. Just at presentthey're so busy over some things I brought 'em that they wouldn't seea sub if it poked its nose into their cabin. And even if they wantedto talk they couldn't, there's not a soul living within a dozenmiles."
They had now come out of the brush upon a second miniature harborwhere a small boat was drawn up on the smooth beach.
With Sam helping, Rawlins shoved off the boat as the others climbedin.
"We might have come around by the launch, I suppose," Rawlinsremarked, "but it's safer over at the dock and this boat's handier."
Sam at the oars and Rawlins steering, the boat swept away from thebeach and headed for a jutting point.
As they drew near and the boys were watching the circling seabirds andadmiring the beautifully colored water, Rawlins spoke to Sam andordered him to stop rowing.
"See anything of the sub?" he asked as the boat lost headway.
Every one gazed about, expecting to see the undersea boat just awashor just emerging from the surface, but not a ripple broke the glassywater. Along the shore they were approaching was a dense belt of greentrees--mangroves and sea grape--with a few ragged coconut palms aboveall, but not a sign of anything remotely resembling a submarine.
"No, I give up," said Mr. Pauling at last.
"So do I," added Mr. Henderson.
"Me too," said Tom.
"I don't believe it's here," declared Frank.
Rawlins chuckled. "Thought it was pretty good," he exclaimed. "You'vebeen looking right at her, too."
"Looking at her!" exclaimed Mr. Pauling.
"Where?"
"Straight ahead," laughed Rawlins, "over against that point."
All eyes were now turned towards the point and as Sam again took tohis oars and they drew nearer and nearer the two men and the boyssearched the rocks and greenery in vain.
Not until they were within one hundred yards of the shore were theyrewarded. Then Tom uttered a cry. "Hurrah, I see it!" he shouted."Gosh, but she _was_ hidden! Say, how did you do it?"
"Just a bit of camouflage," chuckled Rawlins. "Idea I got when makinga set once. Thought it might be handy to be able to lie on the surfaceand not be seen sometime."
"Well you've certainly succeeded," declared Mr. Henderson. "The effectof the rocks and foliage is perfect. I'd defy any one to see her fivehundred feet distant."
Even now the outlines of the submarine were so hidden by the cleverpainting on her upper works and hull that the boys could not have beensure what was boat and what was foliage if a man had not appeared,emerging from a hatchway, and followed by two others.
The next minute the boat was alongside the craft, and scrambling ontoher decks the boys gazed about with interest.
They had been on this same underseas boat before, but then she hadbeen tied up to a dock in the Navy Yard and only curiosity to see whatshe contained had filled their minds. But now she was riding on thewaters in the West Indies, she was manned and ready to sail and theboys were wildly excited at the thoughts of adventures to come and ofsailing on a real submarine under the sea.